Phalaenopsis orchid plant named ‘PHALHOCH’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of  Phalaenopsis  plant named ‘PHALHOCH’, particularly characterized by having yellow flowers with reddish-purple lips, a compact plant, concave flower shape in lateral view, apical lobes with a medium bump and ridge, and is propagated by meristem tissue culture, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Phalaenopsis hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘PHALHOCH’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Phalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis hybrid of the Orchidaceae family, commonly referred to as moth orchid, and hereinafter referred to by the variety name ‘PHALHOCH’.

The new Phalaenopsis plant is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands. The objective of this breeding program was to create a new Phalaenopsis plant with numerous attractive and unique yellow flowers with reddish-purple lips, suitable for potted plant production.

The new Phalaenopsis plant ‘PHALHOCH’ is a result of cross-pollination made by the inventor in November 2010 in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, of the proprietary female, or seed parent, Phalaenopsis hybrid ‘01-3705’ (unpatented) with the proprietary male, or pollen parent, Phalaenopsis hybrid ‘19198-01’ (unpatented).

The new Phalaenopsis was selected by the inventor as a single plant within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlled greenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, in January 2014. Asexual reproduction of the new Phalaenopsis plant by meristem tissue culture since 2015 in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, has demonstrated that the new variety reproduces true to type with all of the characteristics, as herein described, firmly fixed and retained through successive generations.

Community Plant Variety Rights for this variety have been applied for in the European Union on Apr. 16, 2019 (Application no. 2019/0993), and on Jan. 30, 2020 (Application no. 2020/0307), by Applicant who obtained the subject matter disclosed directly from the inventor. ‘PHALHOCH’ has not been made publicly available or sold anywhere in the world prior to the effective filing date of this application with the exception of sales or disclosures made one year or less before the effective filing date of this claimed invention by Applicant who obtained ‘PHALHOCH’ directly from the inventor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normal horticultural practices in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, and can be used to distinguish ‘PHALHOCH’ as a new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant:

-   -   1) Yellow flowers with reddish-purple lips;     -   2) Compact plant;     -   3) Concave flower shape in lateral view; and     -   4) Apical lobes have a medium bump and ridge.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This new Phalaenopsis plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographs which show the overall plant habit including blooms and foliage of the plant; the colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photographs were taken in a greenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, from 50-week-old plants in April 2020. Colors in the photographs may differ from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the actual colors of the new variety.

FIG. 1 shows the overall plant habit, including blooms and foliage of ‘PHALHOCH’.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up of a flower of ‘PHALHOCH’.

FIG. 3 shows an overhead view of the leaves of ‘PHALHOCH’.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘PHALHOCH’. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity and day length, without, however, any variance in genotype. The chart used in the identification of colors described herein is The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England, 2015 edition, except where general color terms of ordinary significance are used. The color values were determined under 4000-6000 lux natural light in a greenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands. Observations and measurements were made in April 2020 on flowering plants which were planted in 12-centimeter (diameter) pots. After in vitro propagation, the plants were grown in nursery trays for 20-24 weeks, followed by transplantation to 12-centimeter pots and grown in a greenhouse between 27° C. to 29° C. for 30 weeks, continued by a cooling period of 8 weeks between 18° C. to 20° C. and 12 weeks in a greenhouse of 21° C. Flowering occurs after 50 weeks in 12-centimeter pots.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

-   Classification:     -   -   Family.—Orchidaceae.         -   Botanical.—Phalaenopsis hybrid.         -   Common name.—Moth orchid.         -   Variety name.—‘PHALHOCH’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘01-3705’ (unpatented).         -   Male parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘19198-01’ (unpatented). -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—Meristem tissue culture. -   Roots:     -   -   Root description.—Greyed-green (between RHS 190B and 190C)             colored roots with branching lateral roots having             yellow-green (RHS 144C) colored root tips. -   Plant:     -   -   Commercial crop time to flowering.—Following asexual             propagation (in vitro), the rooted cuttings grow for 20-24             weeks. After transplantation into 12-cm pots, the plants are             finished after 48 to 50 weeks.         -   Growth habit of the peduncle.—Upright to slightly pendent             with panicle inflorescence.         -   Height (from soil level to top of             inflorescence).—Approximately 50.0 cm to 55.0 cm.         -   Width (measured from leaf tips).—About 27.0 cm to 30.0 cm.         -   Vigor.—Strong. -   Leaves:     -   -   Mature leaves.—Quantity per plant: 7 to 9 leaves are             produced before flowering. Length (fully expanded): 15.0 cm             to 18.0 cm. Width: 5.0 cm to 6.0 cm. Position of the             broadest part of the leaf: At the middle. Shape: Narrow             oblong. Base shape: Moderately elongated. Apex: Obtuse             asymmetric. Leaf blade angle with the petiole (measured from             the horizontal position): Between 20 degrees and 35 degrees.             Leaf margin: Entire. Color: Upper surface: RHS 146A with a             touch of brown margin (RHS 200A) toward the tip. Lower             surface: RHS 146B with a touch of brown (RHS 200B) toward             the tip. Texture (both upper and lower surfaces): Smooth.             Thickness: 1.8 mm to 2.2 mm. Variegation: Absent. Venation:             Pattern: Parallel. Color of the midvein: Upper surface: RHS             200B. Lower surface: RHS 200C. -   Peduncle:     -   -   Quantity per plant.—1 to 3.         -   Number of flowers per peduncle.—10 to 14.         -   Length.—50.0 cm to 55.0 cm.         -   Diameter.—5.8 mm to 6.3 mm.         -   Strength.—Strong.         -   Aspect.—Upright to slightly pendent.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Color.—Green (RHS 146C) with a touch of brown (RHS 200C) and             toward the inflorescence (RHS 200D).         -   Internode length.—3.0 cm to 4.0 cm. -   Inflorescence description:     -   -   Appearance.—Upright to slightly pendent, panicle             inflorescence with bilaterally symmetrical flowers that open             in succession beginning with the lowermost flower.         -   Number of inflorescences.—1 to 3.         -   Inflorescence size.—Height (from base to tip): 200.0 mm to             230.0 mm.         -   Flowering time.—First flowers can be expected 10 to 11             months after planting in a 12-cm pot.         -   Flower.—Height: 70.0 mm to 75.0 mm. Diameter: 80.0 mm to             85.0 mm. Depth of lip: 21.0 mm to 23.0 mm.         -   Flower longevity.—On the plant: 16 to 18 weeks.         -   Flower shape.—Concave.         -   Fragrance.—Absent.         -   Flower bud.—Average size: Medium to large. Length: 23.0 mm             to 25.0 mm. Width: 19.0 mm to 21.0 mm. Shape: Egg shaped.             Color: Yellowish-green (RHS N144A) with a touch of red (RHS             176A).         -   Petals.—Arrangement: Open/free. Shape: Semi-circular. Apex:             Rounded to slightly emarginated asymmetric. Margin: Slightly             undulated. Length (from base to tip): 38.0 mm to 40.0 mm.             Width: 42.0 mm to 44.0 mm. Position of the broadest part of             the petal: Toward the base. Color (when fully opened): Upper             surface: Basic color: Yellow (RHS 10A). Over color: Absent.             Lower surface: Basic color: Light yellow (RHS 10B). Over             color: Absent. Number of spots and stripes on the petals             (upper surface): None. Color of spots and stripes on the             petals (upper surface): None. Density of netting of the             petals (upper surface): None. Color of the netting (upper             surface): None.         -   Dorsal sepal.—Shape: Elliptic. Apex: Obtuse to slightly             emarginated symmetric. Margin: Entire. Length (from base to             tip): 41.0 mm to 43.0 mm. Width: 31.0 mm to 33.0 mm.             Position of the broadest part of the dorsal sepals: At the             middle. Color (when fully opened): Upper surface: Basic             color: Yellow (RHS 10A). Over color: Hint of purplish-pink             (RHS N78C) at the base. Lower surface: Basic color: Light             greenish-yellow (RHS 8B). Over color: Absent. Number of             spots and stripes on the dorsal sepals (upper surface):             None. Color of spots and stripes on the dorsal sepals (upper             surface): None. Density of netting of the dorsal sepals             (upper surface): None. Color of the netting (upper surface):             None.         -   Lateral sepals.—Shape: Ovate. Apex: Obtuse asymmetric.             Margin: Entire. Length (from base to tip): 38.0 mm to             40.0 mm. Width: 29.0 mm to 31.0 mm. Position of the broadest             part of the lateral sepals: Toward the base. Color (when             fully opened): Upper surface: Basic color: Yellow (RHS 10A).             Over color: Greenish-yellow (RHS 4A) at the base. Lower             surface: Basic color: Mix of light greenish-yellow (RHS 4B)             and light yellow (RHS 10C). Over color: Hint of purplish-red             (RHS 185C) at the base. Number of spots, dots, and stripes             on the lateral sepals (upper surface): Medium number of very             small dots at the base. Color of spots, dots, and stripes on             the lateral sepals (upper surface): RHS 185B. Density of             netting of the lateral sepals (upper surface): None. Color             of the netting (upper surface): None.         -   Labellum (lip).—Whiskers: Present. Length of whiskers: 4.0             mm to 6.0 mm. Color of whiskers: Purplish-pink (RHS N78C)             with light yellow tips (RHS 10C). Pubescence on the lip:             Absent.         -   Lateral lobe.—Shape: Type IV (as described in the             International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of             Plants (UPOV) Test Guidelines for Phalaenopsis); weakly             spatulate. Margin: Slightly undulated. Length: 15.0 mm to             17.0 mm. Width: 9.0 mm to 11.0 mm. Color: Upper surface:             Slightly yellow (RHS 13A) at the base; red (RHS 185A) on one             side toward the margin; reddish-purple (RHS N78A) toward the             other margin. Lower surface: White (RHS 155C) at the base;             at the middle (RHS N78A) and red (RHS 185A) toward the             margin. Number of spots and stripes on the lateral lobe: Few             stripes at the base. Color of spots and stripes on the             lateral lobe: RHS 184A. Density of netting of the lateral             lobe: None. Color of the netting: None.         -   Apical lobe.—Shape: Elliptic. Margin: Entire. Length: 20.0             mm to 22.0 mm. Width: 14.0 mm to 16.0 mm. Color: Upper             surface: Red (RHS 185A to 185B) at the base; reddish-purple             (RHS N78B) and white (RHS NN155C) toward whiskers. Lower             surface: Mix of yellow (RHS 13A) and red (RHS 180A) toward             the margin; light purple (RHS 76A to 76B) at the middle and             white (RHS NN155C) toward whiskers. Number of spots and             stripes on the apical lobe: None. Color of spots and stripes             on the apical lobe: None. Density of netting of the apical             lobe: None. Color of the netting: None. Bump and ridge:             Medium.         -   Callus.—Average size: Small. Height: 4.0 mm to 5.0 mm.             Length: 4.0 mm to 5.0 mm. Width: 3.0 mm to 4.0 mm. Color:             Yellow (RHS 13A); dotted (RHS 175A). -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Column.—Length: 9.0 mm to 11.0 mm. Diameter: 4.0 mm to             5.0 mm. Color: White (RHS NN155C).         -   Pollinia.—Quantity: 2. Diameter: 0.5 mm to 0.8 mm. Color:             Orange-yellow (RHS 23A).         -   Ovary.—Length: 10.0 mm to 12.0 mm. Diameter: 2.0 mm to 2.2             mm.         -   Pedicel.—Length: 36.0 mm to 38.0 mm. Diameter: 2.4 mm to             2.6 mm. Texture: Smooth. Color: Brown (RHS 200D) at the             base; light yellow-green (RHS 145C) and (RHS 145D) toward             the flower. -   Disease, pest, and stress resistance: No specific resistance or     susceptibility observed to pathogens and pests common to     Phalaenopsis to date. -   Fruit and seeds: Fruit and seed development has not been observed on     plants of the new Phalaenopsis to date.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL LINES AND MOST SIMILAR VARIETIES

‘PHALHOCH’ differs from female parent plant ‘01-3705’ (unpatented) in that ‘PHALHOCH’ has an even flower pattern, weakly spatulate lateral lobes, and elliptic apical lobes, whereas ‘01-3705’ has a striped flower pattern, spatulate lateral lobes, and ovate apical lobes.

‘PHALHOCH’ differs from male parent plant ‘19198-01’ (unpatented) in that ‘PHALHOCH’ has an even flower pattern, weakly spatulate lateral lobes, elliptic apical lobes, and whiskers, whereas ‘19198-01’ has a flecked flower pattern, ligulate lateral lobes, rhombic apical lobes, and no whiskers.

‘PHALHOCH’ is most similar to the commercial Phalaenopsis plants named ‘PHALEKDEK’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 32,024) and ‘PHALFOBOK’ (unpatented). ‘PHALHOCH’ differs from the commercial variety ‘PHALEKDEK’ in that ‘PHALHOCH’ has weakly spatulate lateral lobes and elliptic apical lobes, whereas ‘PHALEKDEK’ has spatulate lateral lobes and triangular apical lobes. Additionally, ‘PHALHOCH’ has smaller flowers and shorter whiskers than ‘PHALEKDEK’.

‘PHALHOCH’ differs from the commercial variety ‘PHALFOBOK’ in that ‘PHALHOCH’ has weakly spatulate lateral lobes, elliptic apical lobes, and whiskers, whereas ‘PHALFOBOK’ has oblong lateral lobes, ovate apical lobes, and no whiskers. Additionally, ‘PHALHOCH’ has larger flowers than ‘PHALFOBOK’. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant named ‘PHALHOCH’, substantially as described and illustrated herein. 